Career-connected learning: What an internship teaches that the classroom can’t
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It was the mid-1980s when I entered my first "internship" experience. No, I was not finishing out my college degree or completing certification requirements. I was deeply involved in my second-grade curriculum and searching for my purpose. Okay, that might be exaggerating a bit.
My Dad worked in the car industry all his career, and this proved to be a great advantage when it came to the annual Pinewood Derby Contest with our local Boy Scout troop. Dad repaired cars for a living, and he was good at it. When I asked about entering a car into the Pinewood Derby that first year, I had no idea what I was getting myself into.
In my elementary brain, I thought Dad would take the kit, work his magic, and I would be enjoying the glory as the winner of the best design or fastest car. Yes, in fact, some of those trophies and bragging rights did come, but it was not without learning some life lessons that I didn't know I needed to learn.
Dad had specific skills that he decided to train me in. He walked me through design options, sanding techniques, paint schemes, decal placement, and adding clear coats. Just when I thought we were done, he would walk me through the next steps to take.
He didn't just do it for me.
I learned a lot through those experiences that have stuck with me throughout my life. I enjoyed spending time with Dad and learning about his trade. Another thing that I learned was that I had no desire to work in the car industry repairing cars! It just wasn't what I wanted to do for a career, and that is okay.
Internships give students an opportunity to expand their learning from the classroom into industry. They give them a taste of what a career in their field of study could potentially look like for them, and they also provide a gut check on whether this is what they truly want to do as a career.
We are continually looking to build these types of experiences for our students through internships, work studies, apprenticeships, clinicals, and work-based learning opportunities here at Iowa Valley Community College District. As the Dean of Career and Technical Education, I put into practice what I learned so many years ago in that local body shop by helping faculty, staff, and industry partners develop and provide opportunities for our students to experience the application of the industry content outside of just the classroom instruction.
I am thankful for my experience, along with the many other internships, practicums, and work-based learning opportunities that I have had over the years. It is one of the things that have helped shape and mold me into who I am today, and it can do the same thing for you. Reach out; we would love to help you navigate your next step.
Pete Drury is the Dean of Career and Technical Education for the Iowa Valley Community College District.